12.08 Hornet Headlines |
♬ Happy Holidays...♬
December 8, 2023
From the Desk of Superintendent, Dr. Kevin S. Miller
Dear Licking Heights Families,
The holiday season is upon us! However you may celebrate this time of year, we at Licking Heights hope that it is filled with plenty of time with loved ones and that you find some time to rest and relax before the start of a new year.
During this time of year, I know it can be all too common to rush and feel overwhelmed. I want to prioritize slowing down and giving thanks this holiday season. I hope you will join me. While Thanksgiving may be over, a season of gratitude should continue all year long. No matter what our circumstances may be, there is always a reason to give thanks for all we do have–whether that be our health, support system, jobs, hobbies, present or past experiences, or even simple pleasures.
Here at Licking Heights, our students have multiple different festive activities to help get you into the holiday spirit. Read the sections below for information about the middle and high school band concerts, the middle and high school choirs performing at the Columbus Zoo, and do not forget to tune in on New Years Day and watch the choir in the London New Years Day Parade!
The London New Years Day Parade (LNYDP) will be livestreamed on the LNYDP website (click the button below to view) and available to watch on our local PBS station, WOSU. Remember, London is five hours ahead of us time-wise. The parade will start for us at 7 a.m., which is noon in London. The choir will also present their London show on Wed., Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium, so plan to attend for a full preview of their performance!
Our winter sports are also underway, with a successful season already in store for girls and boys basketball and an exciting season to come for wrestling and swimming. Remember that you can still buy athletic passes and tickets in advance for games and matches on our athletics website, lhathletics.com.
Please join me in giving thanks for our wonderful Licking Heights community. I am grateful for your support of our district and am looking forward to celebrating the holidays with you!
Sincerely,
Dr. Kevin S. Miller, Superintendent
Need to Know
Support the Berry-Samba Family - Donate Now
On Tuesday, Dec. 5, the Berry-Samba family of Blacklick experienced a tragic and devastating housefire. The family lost two members and all of their belongings in the fire. This family lives in our school district and the children attend St. Pius X School in Reynoldsburg. Our crisis response team spent Tuesday with the St. Pius community, providing counseling and support services. We have another opportunity to support this family by donating to a GoFundMe set up by St. Pius X. Click the button below to donate now and provide the family with financial support for funerals, replacing their belongings, and Christmas gifts.
Give the Gift of School Spirit!
Our in-house spirit shop has new designs and items for sale just in time for the holidays. Support Licking Heights with the perfect gift for a student, family member, alumnus, staff member, or community supporter. Winter sports gear is also now available, and your purchase directly supports our Hornet athletes. Click the button to shop now.
ALICE Training for Students
See the letter below about Licking Heights' implementation of ALICE active threat strategies for student safety.
Now Enrolling New Preschool Students for 2024!
Licking Heights Central Preschool is pleased to announce we are opening an additional classroom starting in 2024. We will have about 16 total available spots for students, with openings in both the morning and afternoon sessions. Click the button below to learn more about Central Preschool and start the enrollment process.
NO ENTRY Allowed on Construction Sites
Absolutely no students, staff, or community members should enter the construction sites for the Transportation Center, Athletic Complex, and new Elementary School. These are active construction sites, and for the safety of our students, staff, and community, only the construction professionals working with the district may enter. Any unauthorized individual who enters a construction site will be subject to prosecution for criminal trespass under R.C. 2911.21. Thank you.
Transportation Update: Congratulations, Employees of the Month!
Congratulations to the two Employees of the Month for the Transportation Department. The first one is Lori Beal (left), who is a special needs transportation assistant. The second is Judie Figueroa (right), who is a bus driver.
Alumni Veterans: Be Featured on the High School Honor Wall
We want to honor our alumni veterans by including their name, graduation year, and branch of service on our brand-new Honor Wall at the high school. If you or someone you know graduated from Licking Heights and served in the Armed Forces, please complete the form below.
Support Our Students
Two Additional Games Added to CBJ + Middle School Fundraiser!
Enjoy a night out at Nationwide Arena cheering on the Columbus Blue Jackets while supporting the 2024 eighth grade Washington, DC trip. Two additional games in January have been added to the initial fundraiser: Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024 versus the Minnesota Wild at 7 p.m., and Monday, Jan. 15, 2024 versus the Vancouver Canucks at 1 p.m.
Tickets for each game start at $43. For every Upper Bowl ticket purchased, $10 will go back to support the DC trip. For every Lower Bowl ticket purchased, $20 will go back to support the DC trip. Click the button below to purchase your tickets.
Dec. 17 - Watch LH Choirs at the Columbus Zoo
Join the middle and high school choirs at the Columbus Zoo on Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. as part of their Sounds of the Season celebration.
Support the Middle and High School Bands
The holidays are upon us. Join the bands for several festive concerts this month. Details below.
Engraved Brick Fundraiser Now Live
What a great holiday gift! Honor someone by buying a brick paver at the entrance to the new athletic complex. Choose if you want your brick purchase to benefit the PTO, Athletic Boosters, or Music Boosters.
#HornetsTakeFlight
South Elementary: Spelling Bee Success
South Elementary had their spelling bee recently. Congratulations to fourth-grade student Vikram P. for his first-place finish. The third- and fourth-grade students were incredibly supportive of watching their spelling star peers. G-r-e-a-t j-o-b.
West Elementary: Shelter from the Storm
Miss Parson's second-grade class at West tackled a STEAM Weather Shelter Project. Their task? Designing shelters for floods, blizzards, and tornadoes. Thank you Miss Parsons for inspiring young minds with science and creativity.
North Elementary: Future Leaders of America
Central Intermediate: Learning About the Military
Miss Harvey’s sixth-grade class at Central Intermediate had a special speaker. Tyler, an active member of the United States Army, came to speak to the students about the military and the importance of never giving up on your dreams. Thank you, Tyler, for spending time with our students.
Middle School: Coding With Creativity
Unlocking the magic of coding in Ms. Fisher's class: seventh- and eighth-grade students created tracks for mini robots (OzoBots™) using a palette of colors. The colored patterns they designed served as commands, causing the OzoBots to spin, speed up, slow down, or dance in zigzags. A captivating blend of creativity and technology in action!
High School: Archivists at Work
Mrs. Wilson's World War 2 class delved into history, exploring artifacts from the National World War 2 Museum and Mrs. Wilson's and Mr. Meyer's collection. They learned how to interact with artifacts such as German POW letters, a helmet, WW2 currency, and Omaha Beach sand, experiencing history firsthand. Hands-on learning brings lessons to life.
Community News
Pataskala Parks and Recreation Hiring Lifeguards and Swim Instructors for the 2024 Swim Season
The Pataskala Municipal Pool is looking for Swim Instructors (14 years old) and lifeguard candidates (15 years old) for the 2024 summer season. Candidates must be at least 16 by May 27, 2024 to be a lifeguard. All Swim Instructors and concession/guest service applicants must be 14 years old to apply.
Interested candidates must submit a copy of the city’s employment application to Finance Director James M. Nicholson no later than 4:00 pm on Friday, January 12, 2024. Application materials can be sent either via email to hr@ci.pataskala.oh.us or mail to City of Pataskala, 621 W Broad St, Suite 1D, Pataskala, OH 43062.
Dec. 9 - Meet Santa at the Pataskala Public Library!
Join the Friends of Pataskala Library on Sat., Dec. 9 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. for a visit from Santa Claus! This is a family program for all ages that includes crafts and a gift for each child. No registration required. The event will take place at the library's temporary location: 355 W. Broad St., Pataskala, Ohio 43062.
Board Openings with Licking Heights Youth Sports League
The Licking Heights Youth Sports League requires dedicated volunteers to ensure our programs continue to prosper and provide our community’s young people with the opportunity to play tackle football, flag football, cheer, and wrestle. If you have a desire to be part of a great organization focusing on the development of athletic skills, sportsmanship, and community spirit, then the LHYSL is a perfect place to share your time.
Current openings include:
- Treasurer
- Wrestling Director(s)
- Concessions Director
- General Board Members
If you are interested in any of the openings, please email the LHYSL at lhys.hornets@gmail.com for more information. Detailed information on all open positions can also be found by clicking the button below. GO HORNETS!
Learn English for FREE with C-TEC
Current classes meet at the Central Ohio Technical College Pataskala campus (8660 E Broad St, Pataskala, OH 43068) from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursdays. Ages 18 and up welcome!
Learn English for FREE with Pataskala United Methodist Church
See info below.
Calendar: Know What Is Coming
- Interim reports now available on PowerSchool for grades 5-12
- Dec. 12 - HS/MS Concert Band concert
- Dec. 13 - HS Choir London Preview concert
- Dec. 14 - Regular School Board meeting
- Dec. 14 - HS/MS Wind Ensemble concert
- Dec. 17 - Choirs performing at Columbus Zoo
- Dec. 21-Jan. 2 - Winter Break
- Jan. 1 - Choir performing in London New Years Day Parade
- Click here to buy spirit wear from our official Hornets shop
- Click here to see the latest fliers on Peachjar